Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

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above all food'. 'An e sin an lite ]' said the stupid young man—
' Do you mean porridge?' The father, disgusted by his stupidity,
made the above reply, indicating that Marion was not for him.
Ma 's math an t-each, 's math a dhreach.
If the horse he good, his colour is good.
A bep liou marc'h mad. — Breton.
A good horse cannot be of a bad colour. — Eng.
Ma 's math leat do mholadh, faigh has ; ma's math leat
do chàineadh, pòs.
If you luish to he praised, die ; if you wish to he de-
cried, marry.
This is a shrewd saying, neatly expressed.
Ma 's math leat sith, càirdeas, agus cluain, — eisd, faic,
'us fuirich sàmhach.
If you wish peace, friendship, and quietness, listen, look,
and he silent.
Ma's maith leat siochaint, cairdeas, a's moladh, eisd, faic, a'.s
fan balbh. — Ir.
Audi, vide, face, si vis vivere in pace. — Lat.
Odi, vedi, e taci, se vuoi viver in pace. — Itul.
Oy, voy, et te tais, si tu veux vivre en paix. — Fr.
Ver, oir, y callar, si quieres vivir en paz. — Span.
Ouve, ve, e calla, se queres viver em paz. — Port.
He that would live in peace and rest.
Must hear, see, and say the least. — Eng.
]\Ia 's olc a' phiobaireachd, cha'n fhearr a duais.
If the piioing he had, the pay is no hctter^
Ma 's olc am fitheach, cha 'n fhearr a chomunn.
If had he the raven, his company is no better,
Myr 's doo yn feeagh, yiow eh sheshey. — Manx.
Ma 's olc an leanabh, cha 'n fhearr a luasgadh.
If the child he had, his rocking is no hetter.
Ma sheallas bean air a glùn toisgeal, gheabh i leisgenl.
If a woman hut looh on her left knee, she will find au
excuse.
Is foisge do bhean leithsgeal nà bràiscin — A womayi's excuse is
nearer her than her apron. — Ir.
Ma tha Dia ann, 's cha 'n 'eil fhios a bheil, fag eadar
sinn fhein 's na biodagan !
If there he a God, and no one knows luhether there he,
leave it hetioeen ourselves and the dirks !
The fervent prayer for fairplay of an old Highland heathen on
the eve of a fight.